Chandipura Virus Claims 28 Young Lives in Gujarat: Government Initiates Vector Control Drive

The Chandipura virus has caused the deaths of 28 children under 14 in Gujarat since July, as informed by the state assembly. The health minister stated that out of 164 cases of viral encephalitis, 61 were attributed to the Chandipura virus. The government has launched extensive vector control and containment measures.

A deadly outbreak of the Chandipura virus has claimed the lives of 28 children under the age of 14 in Gujarat since its first report in July, according to state legislative assembly statements on Wednesday.

Responding to a query by AAP MLA Umesh Makwana, health minister Rushikesh Patel disclosed that Gujarat documented 164 cases of viral encephalitis, with 101 children succumbing, 61 of which were caused by Chandipura virus.

Patel revealed that the Chandipura virus, which leads to symptoms resembling flu and acute encephalitis, is transmitted via vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies residing in mud house cracks common in rural areas.

In the wake of the outbreak, the government initiated a comprehensive vector control drive, surveying over 53,000 houses and dispersing Malathion powder and liquid pesticide in over 7 lakh mud houses, 40,000 schools, and 36,000 Anganwadis.

No new cases or deaths have been reported in the past twelve days. Research is ongoing at Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre to identify other viruses causing encephalitis.

(With inputs from agencies.)